Template-based CVD synthesis of ZnS nanotube arrays

Using zinc bis(diethyldithiocarbamate) as a single-source molecular precursor, ordered ZnS nanotube arrays have been synthesized for the first time within the channels of the porous anodic alumina (PAA) membranes using CVD at 400 degrees C. The nanotubes, with an outer diameter of about 80-150 nm and a length of up to tens of micrometers, were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photoluminescence measurements of the ZnS nanotube arrays revealed two emission peaks at about 354 nm and 402 nm at room temperature, which may be ascribed to the sulfur vacancies or interstitial states in the ZnS nanotubes. The efficient template-based CVD method can be expected to be applied in the synthesis of other metal sulfide nanotube arrays.